Accessories Council Inducts Selima Salaun to Hall of Fame
The influential eyewear designer was honored for her contributions to the retail and fashion landscape in New York City.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Accessories
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The Accessories Council recently inducted designer Selima Salaun into its Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the iconic New York City venue Indochine, celebrating her lasting influence on the eyewear industry.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes Salaun for her significant contributions to design, her unique retail approach, and the various collaborations she has fostered throughout her career. Her work remains a hallmark of the independent eyewear movement.
Selima Salaun established her independent boutique, Selima Optique, in 1993. Her retail presence expanded in 1996 when she opened her first shop-in-shop through a partnership with Barneys New York.
The players
Selima Salaun
She is a prominent eyewear designer who founded the independent boutique chain Selima Optique.
Accessories Council
This is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the accessories industry.
H Kreg Harrison
He is an artist known for creating a unique sculpture out of sunglasses for the induction ceremony.
The details
The event brought together a crowd of fashion leaders, designers, and artists for a cocktail reception at Indochine. It featured a unique sculpture created from sunglasses by artist H Kreg Harrison, with sponsorship support from LOOK OPTIC, EssilorLuxottica, and Kavanagh Consulting.
Timeline
Selima Salaun founded her boutique in 1993.
A partnership with Barneys New York launched in 1996.
The induction ceremony occurred on October 15, 2026.
Culture Shift
Salaun’s career mirrors the rise of independent boutique culture that gained massive traction during the 1990s. Her work marks a long-term evolution where individual vision and specialty retail shifted the dominance of mass-market eyewear.
The event highlights the ongoing importance of niche, independent retailers in the New York City fashion scene. Residents and visitors can still engage with these brands at established local boutiques that continue to define the SoHo shopping experience.
The takeaway
Supporting independent designers like Salaun often encourages diversity and artistic innovation in retail spaces. Consumers interested in fashion history can look for how boutique partnerships have historically bridged the gap between independent labels and luxury department stores.
Further reading
Explore more industry news in the Accessories section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Visionmonday.
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